Registration: Click Here

Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions

Friday, April 22, 2016

Richmont Graduate University

1900 The Exchange, Building 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

9:00am – 4:30pm

Presented by

Sonja A. Sutherland, Ph.D. LPC, NCC, CPCS, DCC

Sonja Sutherland is the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, and Assistant Professor of Counseling at Richmont Graduate University.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)and, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) in the state of Georgia, a Distance Credential Counselor (DCC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).  She is also a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Southern Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (SACES), the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC), the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), American Association of Christian Counselors, and the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia (LPCAGA).

Course Description:
What should counselors do when confronted with ethical dilemmas in the field? How do you use the ACA and APA ethical codes to guide and inform decisions? What factors must you consider other than the codes (i.e., culture, gender, the law, the client, religion, stakeholders such as families, courts, agencies, yourself, etc.)? What should you consider when engaging in distance counseling versus face-to-face counseling? How do you leverage all these different factors within a situation and make a decision that is in the best interest of your client, that does not compromise your values, and that you can stand behind if you are ever questioned in court? Some of the biggest issues facing counselors surrounds ethical practice. Knowing the codes is not enough. Often we face such complex situations with clients that decision-making can provoke varying levels of anxiety. A highly interactive group format and thought-provoking case vignettes will challenge counselors and supervisors to think through ethical dilemmas that can occur in the field. Related sections of the ACA Code of Ethics, the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, as well as the NBCC policy regarding the provision of distance professional services will be incorporated.

Course Objectives: Within the context of this 6 hour workshop, participants will:

1. Review and discuss ethical considerations for working with couples, families, adults, children, adolescents, young adults and cross-cultural clients
2. Utilize case vignettes towards assessing and clarifying how various combinations of factors can arise creating difficult ethical situations
3. Practice use of an evidence-based decision making model towards demonstrating how to make decisions based on application of ethical and legal guidelines
4. Define the role of counselor self-awareness as a factor impacting therapist-client therapeutic relationship
5. Review ethical considerations involved in the provision of distance counseling services.

Target audience: Psychologists, Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists

Basic Schedule:

Continuing Education: Six ethics CE clock hours awarded.

Fees:

• Richmont Graduate University Legacy and Founding Alumni Association Members, Hope/Henegar Supervisors, Faculty, Staff, and Students receive FREE
• Basic Alumni Association Members: $30.00
• Nonmembers/Friends of Alumni: $75.00
• Have Lunch with us on Campus! Lunch includes sandwich, chips, cookie, and drink. $7.00 (optional)

Registration: Click Here

For questions, please contact Autumn Stephenson at astephenson@richmont.edu
Refunds will only be issued if requested prior to April 20.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identifited. RGU is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.  

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.